J.
Bernard Machen was unanimously appointed to a two-year term as
provost and
executive vice president for academic affairs at a
special meeting of the
Board of Regents Oct. 10. Machen had been
serving in the post on an
interim basis since Sept. 1.

His appointment is expected to provide
continuity and stability
while a search for a new president is
conducted.

The University was nearing the final stages of a search
for a new
provost when President James J. Duderstadt announced his
intention to
step down from the presidency June 30.

Since it is
customary for the president to play a significant role
in the selection of
the provost, the search committee, headed by
Prof. Kenneth Warner of the
School of Public Health, recommended that
the search be
halted.

"The members of the committee are understandably
disappointed that
we will not be able to complete the search," Warner
said. "The large
number of highly qualified and enthusiastic candidates
reinforced our
perception that the University of Michigan is a very
special
institution.

"However," he added, "it is important that
there be stability and
sustained leadership within the University during
the transition from
one president to the next."

In recommending
Machen for the post, Duderstadt noted that Machen
"has rapidly earned the
respect, support and confidence of the deans
and the executive officers,
and I deeply appreciate his agreement to
extend his service to the
University."

"Given his extensive background and experience in
academic,
administrative and budget affairs," the president added, "we
are
fortunate that he has agreed to remain as a key member of
the
leadership team during this transition period."

Machen, dean
of the School of Dentistry since 1989, held teaching
and administrative
posts at the School of Dentistry, University of
North Carolina at Chapel
Hill in 1975-89. Prior to that he taught at
the University of Maryland,
George Washington University, University
of Iowa and the Medical
University of South
Carolina.